Russian hybrid attacks across Europe bear “all the hallmarks of state-sponsored terrorism”, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Wednesday, as the bloc considers further measures against Moscow.
Speaking ahead of an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Ireland, Kallas said several member states had summoned Russian ambassadors over the alleged attacks.
She said the EU already has 1,600 listings targeting Russia’s military-industrial complex in the pipeline, with more potentially to be added.
Kallas stressed, however, that no formal decisions would be taken at the informal meeting.
Referring to an alleged Russian drone attack at Germany’s Leipzig Airport in August, Kallas said Berlin’s response had sent “a very strong signal”. She added that German officials were grateful for support expressed by other EU member states.
“I think this is the unified response that we need to take,” Kallas said.
EU pressure on Russia
Kallas said the attacks should serve as “wake-up calls” for countries that have so far taken a less forceful position towards Moscow.
Ukraine will also join part of the discussions, which will focus on coordinating further measures to increase pressure on Russia amid what Kallas described as intensified attacks on civilians.
Ministers will also discuss how to make EU foreign policy more effective, particularly given the bloc’s unanimity requirement, she said.
“In this geopolitical context, we have to be more agile, and we have to really be able to react to situations that are upcoming,” Kallas said.
The agenda will also cover the protection of critical infrastructure, including the use of underwater drones and lessons learned from Ukraine’s technological innovations.
Regarding the Middle East, ministers will discuss freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, potential cooperation with a Saudi-led multinational initiative, and developments in the occupied West Bank.
